Pipe–soil interaction analysis of jointed water mains

Abstract

Water mains are important lifelines of modern urban infrastructure. However, in most developed countries, the average life of these cast or ductile iron pipes approaches 50–75 years. In recent years, the disruption of water sevices as a consequence of water main breaks is on the rise in most Cadadian cities. This paper describes the developement of a simplified Winkler model to stimulate the responses of a jointed water main subjected to differential temperature change and water pressure. The simplified Winkler model accounts for axial and radial restraints offered by the surronding soil. In spite of its simplicity, the Winkler model is able to predict the overall response of strains and stresses, which confirms satisfactorily some of heuristic and documented observations on water main breaks. Key words: water main breaks, pipe–soil interaction, temperature influence, Winkler model.